Cotter key



Marchv 17, 1953 J. A. MacLEAN', JR., ETAL 2,631,487

coTTER KEY Filed Nov. 2, 1945 2`sHEETs-s1-1EET 1 24m au 33 Mam-"M March 17, 1953 J.'A. McLEAN, JR., Erm. 2,631,487

' COTTER KEY Filed Nov. 2. 1945 2 SHEETS-'SHEET 2 Patented Mar. 17, 1953 COTTER KEY John A. MacLean, J r., Winnetka, Ill., min Franklin Money, Tulsa, Okla.,

and Benja assignors to MacLean-Fogg Lock Nut Company, Chicago, Ill., a. corporation of Illinois Application November 2, 1945, Serial No. 626,242

4 Claims.

Our present invention relates to cotter keys, and particularly to an improved type of cotter keys adapted to low cost production as well as to tight engagement in an appropriate cotter receiving opening resulting from the wedging action of tapered surfaces of the cotter keys.

As a general object, our invention contemplates the provision of a cotter key structure made from the conventional half-round stock which is deformed yin part by a relatively simple and inexpensive operation to produce a tapering of opposite surfaces of the cotter key such that the cotter key wedges firmly in an appropriate opening, so as to prevent rattling or movement of the key in the opening. l l

In a cotter key having two normally adjacent legs of half round stock, it is an object of our invention to deform opposite sides of the legs by compression, so as to eiect the formation oi engaging beads along the edges of the flat Surfaces, and accompanying wedge-like separation of oppositely disposed leg surfaces, so that the cotter key may be driven into firm engagement with the wall of an opening of appropriate size.

Another object of our present invention is to .provide a cotter keylhaving portions of the legs noni-uniformly deformed laterally to produce a longitudinal outward tapering of the leg surfaces toward the head loop of the cotter key.

In addition to providing a cotter .key having legs with longitudinally tapered outer leg surfaces, it is Aan object of our invention to provide coacting deformed portions in the legs which resist and prevent undesirable longitudinal displacement of the legs relative to one another when forced -flrmly into a cotter-receiving opening.

A further object of our present invention is to -provide in cotter keys of the type referred to one or more laterally deformed portions not only utilized to provide tapered outer surfaces, but also furnishing a quickly and easily recognizable indication to differentiate between sizes or types of -cotter keys, such as thosemade for use in stand- -ard size openings and those adapted for use in oversize or worn openings.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description .and the two sheets of drawings accompanying the specification.

Referring to the drawings: Figs. v1 and 2 are, respectively, top and side views of a preferred form of Aour improved cotter part with which it is adapted to be used;

key yas it appears :before being .placed in `the n cotter-.receiving opening @of fa bolt, pin, or other Figs. 3 and 4 are end sectional views with the sections taken substantially on the lines 3-3 and 4-4 of Fig. 1, and viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows;

Figs. 5 and 6 are respectively top and side elevational views of a cotter key embodying a modification of our invention;

Figs. 7 and 8 are enlarged end sectional views taken substantially on the lines 1 -'i and 8-8 of Fig. 6 and viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows;

Figs. 9 and 10 are fragmentary top and side elevational views of portions of a cotter key which depict another modication of our invention;

lFigs. 1l and 12 are end sectional views to a somewhat enlarged scale of the cotter key shown in Figs. 9 and l0, with the sections taken substantially on lines i I-l l and l2-l2 of Fig. 10

Figs. 13 and 14 are fragmentary top and side elevational views illustrating another modication of our invention;

Figs. 15 and 16 vare end sectional views, somewhat enlarged, of the cotter key shown in Figs.

13 and 14, with the sections taken substantially on lines Iii-l5 and lli- I6 of Fig. 14;

Figs. 17 and 1S are top and side elevational views of an additional modified form of our cotter key.;

Figs. 19 and 20 are end sectional views to a larger scale of the cotter vkey shown .in Figs. 17 and 18 with the sections taken substantially on a line lfQ--lll and 26-20 of Fig. 18;

Fig, 21 is an end sectional View of a cotter key of the general type shown in Figs. 17 and 18 having somewhat .moded sectional shape. with the section taken substantially .at the position indicated by the line 2--2l in Fig. .18;

Figs. 22 and 23 are end sectional views depicting cotter keys, with the .normal sections of Figs. 20 and l21, respectively, as they .appear when installed in a lsuitable cotter receiving opening;

Fig. 24 vis a side elevational view of a cotter key embodying a further modification of our invention;

Fig. 25 is a fragmentary lview vto an :enlarged scale of .a portion of the cotter key shown in Fig. 24; and

Fig. v26 is a vfragmentary side leleva-tional view to an enlarged fscale of a portion of the vcotter key illustrated iin Fig. 23.

Referring zto the exemplary embodiment of Vour cotter .key shown Aiin Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive of .the

drawings, Iit comprises sa .piece of ynormally half- .round metal .wire .which has :been .return bent and formed to define a head loop 30 with legs 32 and 33 projecting therefrom in adjacent and closely spaced relationship. One leg, such as the leg 33 of the illustrated embodiment, is desirably somewhat longer than the other to facilitate the separation of the legs after the installation of the cotter key. The normally flat faces oi' the half round wire stock desirably face inwardly and lie adjacent one another, the separation of the adjacent leg surfaces desirably being greater near the head loop than at the extending ends. The material used in the wire stock is preferably steel, such as that which has been found suitable for cotter keys and which possesses/,some resilience and the capability `of deformation.

Either before or after, and preferably after, the formation of the cotter key from the normally half round wire stock, opposite side portions 32a, 3222, 33a and 33h of the legs 32 and 33, respectively, are deformed by compression, as for example, by being struck between suitably shaped anvils in a punch press. This deformation covers adjacent areas of the opposite sides of the two legs, which areas are preferably neai1 the head loop 3D. Although the lateral deformation of the portions 32a, 32h, 33a and 33h may vary longitudinally as indicated in some o the modied forms which will be more fully described, the relatively straight recesses of substantially uniform depth with abrupt angularly disposed ends, shown in Figs. 1 and 2, require a simple form of compression tool and promote ease of manufacturing.

As a result of the relatively uniform lateral deformation of the opposite sides of adjacent portions of the legs, beads 32a', 32h', 33a and 33h of relatively uniform thickness are formed along opposite sides of the adjacent surfaces of the legs in opposed relationship, as shown in Figs. 2 and 4. To facilitate insertion of the cotter key into an opening, the ends of the legs opposite the head loop desirably lie closely adjacent one another, as shown in Fig. 2. Near the head loop, the legs are preferably separated so that their opposite outer surfaces taper outwardly toward the head loop, as shown at 32e and 33e in Fig. 2. Commensurate with the gradual separation of the legs, the thickness of the opposed beads is preferably sucient that their surfaces normally engage near their ends. This engagement of the beads ensures the desired initial separation of the legs. The ilow of metal due to the deformation results in an increase of the Wedge-like tapering of the oppositely disposed outer surfaces at 32o and 33o of the legs 32 and 33, respectively, in a direction longitudinal of the legs and in a plane perpendicular to the direction of the lateral deformation.

By thus effecting a tapering of the opposite surfaces of the cotter key legs, a cotter key is provided which may be driven into and will t tightly in an appropriate cotter-receiving opening. When the cotter key is forced into an appropriate cotter-receiving opening by force applied to the end of the head loop 30, the tapered outer surfaces 32C and 33e not only Wedge within the opening to provide a tight fit, but the engaging beads 32a', 33a, 32h', and 33h' tend to maintain the tapered relationship of the outer surfaces, and particularly to resist inward deformation of the legs sufficiently to ensure a tight fit. However, upon the application of suflcient force to the end of the head loop, the beads may be deformed. The amount of deformation is dependent upon the size of the opening and the force applied for insertion of the cotter key. The deformation being substantially normal to the axes of the legs, a tight fit results along a substantial portion of the length of the legs within the opening. After the insertion of the cotter key, the ends of the legs are bent outwardly in the usual manner to hold the cotter key in place.

Although the cotter keys of the types disclosed are adapted to be utilized in openings of the normal size usually provided for such cotter keys, the deformation and resultant tapering of the leg surfaces is desirably such that a tight fit is also obtained in an opening which is somewhat over-size due to wear or the like. It may be readily understood that the tight fit obtained by the use of a cotter key of one of the types disclosed prevents rattling of the cotter key after installation and minimizes wear due to the movement of the key within the opening. The bending of the ends of the cotter key legs ensures the maintenance of the tight t produced by the forcing of the cotter key into the opening.

Figs. 5 to 8 inclusive illustrate a modification of our invention wherein the lateral deformations of the legs are such that they may be utilized to serve a dual purpose. The first purpose is to provide and support the tapered outer surfaces of the cotter key, as in the previously described form. The second purpose is to provide a quickly and easily recognizable identification for certain types or sizes of cotter keys. As an example of the latter purpose, a cotter key such as that shown in Figs. 1 and 2 may be utilized for cotter receiving openings of substantially standard size, while one of the type depicted in Figs.- 5 and 6 may be suited to use in badly Worn and over-size openings. Y

In addition to laterally deformed portions 32d, 32e, 33d and 33e, which occupy positions somewhat like the laterally deformed portions of the cotter key shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the modied cotter key disclosed in Figs. 5 to 8 inclusive has additional laterally deformed portions 32j, 32g, 33jc and 33g on opposite sides of the legs and longitudinally displaced therefrom. The general contour of the laterally deformed portions of the cotter key shown in Figs. 5 to 8 is generally similar to that of the cotter key illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4. inclusive in that each of the recesses is of substantially uniform depth and has angularly disposed end surfaces which extend outwardly with relative abruptness.

Although the longitudinally displaced deformed portions of each leg may be of substantially the same depth, it is preferred, as shown, that the portions increase in depth toward the head loop. For example, the laterally deformed portions 33d and 33e are deeper than the laterally displaced deformed portions 33j and 33g. Increasing the depth of the laterally deformed portions near the head loop causes the beads 32d', 33d', 32e and 33e to be larger and deeper than the corresponding beads 321", 32g', 331" and 33g', as shown in Figs. 6, 7 and'8. The opposed beads formed by either or both of the longitudinally displaced and laterally deformed portions may engage so as to tend to maintain the normal separation of the legs and the outward tapering of the opposed outer surfaces thereof toward the head loop. It may be readily understood that when a cotter key of this type is driven into an appropriate cotter-receiving opening, the beads which accompany one or both of the longitudinally displaced lateral deformations may be forced into engagement dependent upon the size ace-raaf of the opening and the force applied to the end of the cotter key. y

1n the modified form of our cotter key which is illustrated in Figs. 9 to 12 inclusive, the general features are quite similar to those of the cotter key shown in Figs. 5 to 8 inclusive. The principal difference in the structures is that the laterally deformed portions of the cotter key depicted in Figs. 9 to 12 inclusive have smoothly curved contours longitudinally of thev cotter key legs. This smoothly curved contour of the laterally deformed portions provides accompanying beads which Vary correspondingly in depth. It may be readily understood in connection with this cotter key that although the particular embodiment illustrated has two longitudinally displaced deformed portions on each side of each leg, it is Well adapted to cottery keys such as that illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive whichV have only a single deformed portion on each side of each leg.

As in the forni illustrated in Figs. 5 to 8 inclusive, the cotter key shown in Figs. 9 to 12 inclusive has laterally deformed portions 32h, 3371 32a and 33t' near the head loop and additional laterally deformed portions 327', 337', 32k and 33k longitudinally displaced therefrom. As in the previously described instances, the portions are deformed by mea-ns such as suitably shaped anvils utilized in a punch press. When two or more longitudinally displaced deformed portions are utilized on each of the legs, the depth of those deformed portions is desirably increased toward the head loop to promote the gradual outward tapering of the opposite leg surfaces of the cotter key. A

As a result of the smooth and gradual curvature of the laterally deformed portions, the beads vary in depth longitudinally of the legs as depicted in Fig. 1i) and as shown by a comparison of the exemplary sectional views, Figs. l1 and 12; that is, the beads 32h', 33h', B2i and which accompany the laterally deformed portions 321h, 32h, 321' and 3375, respectively, have a deeper and heavier section near their mid portion where the lateral deformation is greater, as shown in Fig. il, thanthey do nearer the end, as shown Fig. l2. ln like manner, beads of Varying depth, such as 32k and 331k', accompany the laterally deformed portions 32k; and 33k.

The gradually curved beads of the cotter key shown in Figs. 9 to12 inclusive deform somewhat differently under compression in use when driven into an appropriate cotter receiving opening than do the beads of more uniform depth which are utilized in the cotter keys illustrated in Figs. 1 to 8 inclusive.

The cotter key depicted in Figs. 13 to i6 inclusive illustrates another contour of the laterally deformed portions which may be utilized in cotter keys having ythe single laterally deformed portion in each side of each leg, as shown, or which may be used with a series of longitudinally displaced laterally deformed portions like the forms depicted in Figs. 6 and 1). In this form the laterally deformed portions 32m, 33m., .321i and S371. are formed by a tool which provides a gradual increase in the depth of the deformed portions from one end to the other thereof and toward. the head loop. This variation in the depth of the laterally deformed portions provides a gradual increase in the depth of the opposed beads 3,2m', 533m', 321i and 331i commensurate with the increase in depth of the lateral deformations.

' As shown in Fig. 15, the beads have ahe'avier section and greater depthr Where the lateral deformation is greater than they do farther from the head loop, as depicted Iin Fig. 16. Beads of this type provide somewhat greater resilence in the action of the cotter key as it is driven into a cotter receiving opening. I

It may be readily understood from thev illustrations and descriptions of the forms lof .our cotter keys which have been thus fardiscussed that the embodiments disclosed are exemplary. in this connection both the form having a single deformed portion on each side of` each leg and the form having a plurality of deformed portions longitudinally displaced along the sides of the legs have been illustrated for the type of deformation shown in Figs. 1 to inclusive. The various modifications of the contour of the deformation illustrated .in the forms shown in' Figs'. 9 to ld inclusive are well adapted to usesingly on opposite sides of the legs or in groups longitudinally displaced. The grouping is not lim.- ited to two longitudinally displaced deformed portions in each of the legs, but may include more where gripping is desired over a longer area or at different positions. Likewise, the variation of the depths of the deformed portions of a plurality which are longitudinally displaced, serves the purpose. of emphasizing the tapered relationship of the legs, but may be foregone in favor of deformed portions ofy substantially'equal depth in certain instances.

In the modified form of our cotter key illustrated in 17 to 20 inclusive, llaterally deformed portions 32o, 32p, 33o, and 33p are somewhat longer and more gradually `curved than those of the previously describedl forms. This longer and more gradual curvature provides a more gradual change of the depth of the accompanying beads 32o', 33o', 32p' and 33p'. With such a gradual curvature .and the resultant gradual variation of the depth of the beads, itis preferable that the contour of the deformed portions shall be such that the depth of the beads increases gradually toward the-head loop to effect a wedge-like separation of the legs near the head loop and then shall gradually diminish in depth upon entering the head loop. Figs'. 19 and A2) illustrate different bead depths and proportions along the deformed parts of the legs.

When the maximum deformation of the laterally deformed portions is relatively great, the section of the beads is proportionately heavy, as shown in Fig. 20. When a cotter key of this or one of the previously described typeswhich has a relatively heavy bead is driven into an appropriate cotter receiving opening, the Vabutting beads are deformed in a manner such as that illustrated in Fig. 22. However, the sectional view of Fig. 2l illustratessomewhat lighter bead sections 32o,- 32p",30,` and 33p". Viewed as indicated in Fig. 18 on a cotter key of a similar type, but having shallower laterally deformed portions, it has been found that cotter keys of this type having the lighter beads deform somewhat as indicated .inFig 23 when driven into an appropriate receiving opening 35 of a suitable part 36 which is depicted in dotand-dash lines.

The fundamental form of our modi-hed cotter key which is illustrated in Figs. 24, 25and 2,6 is quite similar to that shownin the previously described forrn which is.' illustrated in- Figs. 1'? to 2O inclusive. Because of this similarity of the fundamental structure, like reference numerals 7 in Figs. 17 to 20 inclusive and 24, 25 and 26 refer to similar parts. The latter modification, however, includes an additional feature of structure adapted to prevent relative longitudinal displacement of the legs 32 and 33 during the forcing of the cotter key into a cotter-receiving opening. To eiect this result, additional deformations in the form of indentations 321, 33T, 32s and 33s are provided in opposite sides of the legs 32 and 33 respectively, and desirably adjacent the opposed inner surfaces of the legs as well as within the deformed side portions 32o, 33o, 32p and 33p, respectively. On each side of the legs, indentations such as 321 and 331` are adjacent and 1ongitudinally displaced. Also, as illustrated in Fig. 26, the indentations of each leg are on the opposite sides thereof and longitudinally displaced so that the adjacent indentations on each side of the opposing legs are oppositely related.

The indentations 321', 331, 32s and 33s are produced either at the same time or separately from the lateral deformation of the opposite sides of the legs. Being adjacent the inner edges of the legs, the side indentations effect the formation of oppositely disposed projections B2i, 33t, 32u and 33u on the inner surfaces of the legs and adjacent their sides. As a result of the longitudinal displacement of the indentations on the sides of the two legs, and the staggered relationship of the indentations on each leg, the projections interengage so as to resist longitudinal movement of the legs relative to one another in either longitudinal direction.

The lateral staggered relationship of the projections prevents the lateral displacement of the legs relative to one another. rlhe prevention of such lateral and longitudinal displacement of the legs relative to one another has a tendency to ensure the proper operation of the cotter keys of the type dis-closed, particularly in applications in which they are driven into position by hammering, and may receive some off-center blows.

While We have illustrated a preferred embodiment of our invention, many modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention, and we do not wish to be limited to the precise details of construction set forth, but desire to avail ourselves of all changes within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described our invention, What We claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is: Y

1. A cotter key made of half-round stock and comprising a pair of legs having their normally at surfaces adjacent and extending from an integral head loop, said legs being separated near the head loop and converging away from the head loop to provide longitudinally tapered outer surfaces, longitudinally separated opposite side prtions of the legs near the head loop being laterally deformed by compression in a direction such that both legs are similarly deformed, the lateral deformation of the legs effecting the formation of oppositely disposed beads along the outer edges of the normally flat surfaces and of a size substantially proportional to the depth of the lateral deformation, the lateral deformations nearer the head loop being of greater depth than those more remote from the head loop so that the beads nearer the head loop are larger, whereby the beads more remote from the head loop engage to provide a snug t when the cotter key is driven opening and the beads nearer the head loop engage Vto insure a snug t when the cotter key is driven into an over-size cotter-receiving opening.

2. In a cotter key, the combination comprising a pair of legs extending in adjacent relationship from an integral head loop, said legs each having therein ya plurality of longitudinally spaced side portions deformed laterally by compression in directions substantially normal to a plane passing through the longitudinal axes of the legs, the depth of the laterally deformed portions of each leg increasing toward the head loop, and said laterally deformed portions effecting the formation of engaging longitudinally extending beads on the legs, said laterally deformed portions being of increasing depth toward the head loop so that the beads formed thereby increase in thickness longitudinally of the legs and toward the head loop, the thickness of the beads being dependent upon the depth of the laterally deformed portions.

3. A cotter key formed from a length of stock semi-circular in cross section and the length being bent intermediate its ends providing a loop form head and a pair of legs projecting therefrom with their fiat sides in adjacency, the flat sides being in spaced relation adjacent said head and converging toward the free ends of the legs, each of said legs having the material along the edges of the fiat sides in laterally opposed regions adjacent said head displaced toward the center of the flat side and outwardly from said flat side with resulting depressions in the opposite side curved portions of each leg at the juncture of such curved portions with the flat side and forming laterally opposed longitudinally extending beads on the dat side of each leg with those on one leg aligned with and being engageable with those on the other leg for maintaining said converging relation of the legs.

4. A cotter key according to claim 3, together with a protuberance on the legs in the region of each depression therein, the protuberances on each leg being diagonally disposed relative to the longitudinal axis thereof with those on one leg diagonally disposed opposite to those on the other leg, and the protuberances on one leg being engaged with the protuberances on the other leg for precluding relative longitudinal displacement of the legs as aresult of end pressure applied to said head. Y

JOHN A. MAcLEAN, JR. BENJAMIN FRANKLIN MONEY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date Re. 19,452 Peterson Feb. 5, 1935 63,385 Harvey Apr. 2, 1867 84,585 Sargent Dec. 1, 1868 948,559 Fongeallaz Feb. 8, 1910 1,160,807 Wymer Nov, 16, 1915 1,244,076 Pfester Oct. 23, 1917 1,548,688 Johnson Aug. 4, 1925 1,710,509 Ottinger Apr. 23, 1929 2,195,685 Schneider Apr. 2, 1940 2,266,689 Lemison Dec. 16, 1941 2,370,171 Jepson Feb. 27, 1945 2,383,079 Reed Aug. 21, 1945 2,401,976 Simpson June 11, 1946 2,510,897 MacLean June 6, 1950 2,543,414 MacLean Feb. 27, 1951 

